Each year, there are many auctions where the proceeds go to different charities. In the past, these events have been hugely successful in raising awareness and finances for various causes. The artwork for these events is usually donated by artists, although, for some events, collectors are asked to donate pieces for sale. These auctions are usually organized in one of three ways – as a raffle, a silent auction, or a live auction. Accompanying the live auction, there is often a party or a dinner, and works are sold by a celebrity auctioneer. Art work can be anything from drawing to painting to three dimensional pieces. In Texas, numerous Dallas fine art paintings have been sold to raise money for charity.
From the perspective of the people organizing these events, charity auctions seem wonderful. The sale of donated artwork is a good way to raise the money needed to support a given charity. From the perspective of the people attending, the outcome of the charity auction is often very positive as well. A person is able to give generously to a cause they believe in and come home with a piece of fine art. Sometimes, people pay quite a bit more than a piece is worth. In most cases, however, people don’t mind or feel taken advantage of. They are pleased that they were able to support their charity and they feel that that the artwork they purchased well worth it the price they paid for it. The person who buys the art also gets to claim the price as a donation to charity. The people who benefit the least from the art auction charity are the artists themselves.
Although some charity auctions split the profits 50/50 between the good cause and the artist, most artist are never paid anything for the works they donate to charity auctions. Additionally, no matter how much the work of art sells for, the artists can only claim the art supplies they used for the project as a donation to charity. Artists are often asked to contribute works of art to many different charities and are thus forced into the position of saying no to most of these worthy causes. The artist has only so much time and needs to earn a living as well. Additionally, giving artwork to charity usually does not generate other sales for the artist as the people bidding at these charities are usually not regular art collectors.
Why Do Artists Donate Artwork to Charity?
Some beginning artists hope to gain a name for themselves in the art community by donating to charity. Most artists donate their work solely for the purpose of benefitting their charities of choice. It is out of a philanthropic spirit that artists give. Esther Ritz, a Dallas fine art painter, is one example of an artist who has donated her work to help a worthy cause. Her Dallas fine art painting, “Beach Memories”, was sold in the North Dallas Food Bank Charity Auction.
This Dallas fine art painter also created “Art Bull” for the same auction.